Choosing a new bike...
 

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[Closed] Choosing a new bike by science - a fools game?

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Tried out a 2018 Bronson and found it utterly rapid with a bottomless suspension feel and confidence inspiring grip / handling. Downside - the price.

So what's similar but not as expensive? I tried reading online reviews but they were massively subjective. I tried asking bike shops but their answer was whatever we stock / make the most money on.

I decided to turn to the technical detail. Maybe narrowing choices by suspension type... Nope, you can get great and terrible bikes with the same suspension type.

Threw myself into the detail of leverage curves and thought I was onto a winner with my current bike (26 rocket) sharing a similar one. Then I started looking at anti squat, forces, chainring size and discovered I had no clue how to interpret all the data together.

Is it possible for mere mortals to understand all these factors to make good decisions or do I need to just resort to demos of random bikes / picking the one I like the colour of?


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 8:06 pm
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Colour, bike name or head badge. That’s how I choose mine and also why my wife has stopped even asking why my bike appears to have changed its colour, name or head badge because it is a shite (albeit fun) method of choosing. Demo or user reviews 👍🏼


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 8:14 pm
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Surely there's nothing more boring than picking a bike on numbers.

Demo, schralp, love, purchase.


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 8:17 pm
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That bike that is just a bit more expensive than you can afford.

That's the right one. Always is.


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 8:45 pm
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Red or Black definitely, or maybe raw


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 8:51 pm
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The current Banshee Spitfire, which hasn’t changed (or needed to change!) since 2017 is extremely similar in both geometry and suspension behaviour to the current Bronson.


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 8:54 pm
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As long as it has Stanton written on it I know it'll be amazing 😂👍


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 8:56 pm
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I've never understood why people like SC so much - every one I've ridden has had far too much anti-squat and they're hideously overpriced considering they're built in the same factories as pretty much everything out there.

JP


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 9:04 pm
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Get last years Bronson at a big discount for f-all difference in performance.


 
Posted : 20/06/2019 9:23 pm

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